PRINCETON: Optimism abounds for girls’ soccer teams

By Bob Nuse, Sports Editor
The Princeton High School girls’ soccer team has some strong veteran players that it can rely on as it opens the season.
With a deep and talented group, the Little Tigers will be looking to improve on last season, when they finished 11-8 and reached the second round of the Central Jersey, Group IV state tournament.
“We have to be patient early on as all of our players find their confidence,” said Princeton coach Val Rodriguez, whose team opened the season with a 2-1 victory  over Manapalan on Tuesday. “If we can do this I feel our team can play some great soccer this season. We have a number of strong returners and some great newcomers. We are asking some girls to play different positions this year. This can take time to develop but in the long run we feel will be very effective.”
Princeton returns a strong group of seniors that includes Isabella Giglio (forward/defense), Isabella Stier (forward), Lauren Woodbury (forward), Sabine Waldeck (defense/forward), Gracia DiBianco (defense), Colette Marciano (midfield), Kristina Miers (forward), Devon Lis (midfield), and Abaigeal Ryan (defense). Junior Kathryn DeMilt (defense) and Shannon Romaine (midfield) are also back, as well as sophomores Caroline Ealy (goalkeeper), Lauren Rougas (defense), Morgan Beamer (forward), Kirin Kunukkasseril (forward), and Shaylah Marciano (goalkeeper).
“I am confident that Devon and Colette’s leadership will shine in the midfield and will help lift our team in the tough games,” Rodriguez said.
The newcomers to the varsity include seniors Kelly Bowen (defense) and Joslen Beslity (defense), juniors Hannah Colaizzo (forward), Julia Thomson (defense), and Camille Franklin (forward), and sophomore Molly Frain (midfield).
Colette Marcianio, who shares captain duties with Lis, scored a goal in the triumph over Manalapan. Franklin, a transfer from Tennessee, also scored a goal.
Princeton Day School seemed poised for another strong season, but the Panthers ran into some unexpected roster defections that will change the tone for the upcoming season.
“In addition to the loss of some key players to graduation, the team has also suffered from the new Academy Program rule that prohibits players from playing in high school,” PDS coach Patrick Trombetta said. “As a result, three Division 1 commits will not be eligible to play in 2017.”
The Panthers won’t have goalkeeper Grace Barbara, midfielder Maddy McCaw or forward Damali Simon-Ponte back as expected on the pitch this season. They play for academy teams that prohibit its players from competing for their scholastic teams.
But the roster is still full of talent as the team looks for more success this season.
A year ago, the Panthers went 17-1-4, earning a share of the state Prep B title and reaching the championship game of the Mercer County Tournament.
The team will rely heavily on its lone two seniors and hopes that the young underclassmen will transition quickly to the high school game to achieve a successful season,” Trombetta said.
PDS returns senior co-captains Madison Coyne (defense) and Rebecca Kuzmicz (defender). The other returning players include juniors Kelsey Lane (midfield), Charlotte Meyercord (midfield), Brooke Smukler (forward), and Isa Hogshire (midfield), as well as sophomores Ariana Jones (midfield), Tulsi Pari (defense), and Brianna Astbury (midfield).
The newcomers to the varsity include sophomores Riley Felsher (goalkeeper) and Aday Ley (midfield), as well as freshmen Sophia Miranda (defense), Anna Ellwood (midfield), Kelly Beal (forward), Jules Romano (midfield), Britney Chia (midfield), and Ella McIntyre (midfield).
Montgomery returns a strong group of seniors and some talented newcomers as it looks to improve on last season, when the Cougars went 2-15.
“With excellent senior leadership and powerful newcomers, the team is stronger than ever,” second-year Montgomery coach Jen Elgin said. “The girls have shown great chemistry and are extremely hard working. The team went undefeated in each of the scrimmages played and is showing to be strong defensively. Our goal is to be above .500 this season and continue to strive to be a winning program.”
Returning players include seniors Charlotte Glancey (midfield) and Kira Pancha (defense), along with juniors Jess Yanovitch (defense), Jen VanHook (defense), Abby Halder (midfield), Jesse DiMeglio (midfield), and Jenn Adams (defense). The returning sophomores are Emma Stockton (midfield), Allison Cudmore (defense), and Sarah Cudmore (forward).
Newcomers to the varsity include senior Palmer McNally (defense), junior Sophia Van Mol (midfield), sophomore Allie Stockburger (defense), and freshmen Piper Epstein (midfield), Neena O’Mara (forward), Allison Walsh (goalie), and Talya Deustch (defense).
Injuries hindered the Hun School during a 7-10-2 season a year ago. The Raiders are hoping for better health this year, but already have a couple of players who will be missing most or all of the season due to injury.
“The key to this season will be staying healthy and being very fit, as well as finishing our chances, capitalizing on our opponents’ mistakes, and defending well as a team.” Hun coach Joanna Hallac said. “We all need to be able to possess the ball better offensively and put much more pressure on our opponents defensively.”
The Raiders return senior captains Nicole Apuzzi (midfielder) and Kendall Dandridge (defender), as well as seniors Kennedy Debow (midfielder), Jenna Jarvis (midfielder/defender), Livi Kooker (goalie), and Kara Borden (forward). Borden is out due to ACL surgery and may make it back before the end of the season. Also returning are juniors Leah Sutphen (goalie), Olivia McNulty (defender), and Bryonna Worthy (forward), as well as sophomores Nicole Angelini (midfielder) and Hannah Cavanaugh (midfielder). Cavanaugh is, out for season due to ACL surgery.
The newcomers include juniors Brenna Wehner (defender), sophomores Grace Langford (midfielder) and Sophie Bennett (midfielder), and freshmen Amanda Jenkins (defender), Alex Kolo (midfielder/forward), and Abby Trimble (defender/midfielder). Trimble is also recovering from ACL surgery and hoping to be back for the end of the season.